One
of the things I hear from brides when they are first looking around for
a wedding makeup artist is "I've never done this before, so I'm not
really sure what I'm supposed to do." This is true! The majority of
brides have never planned a wedding, and many have never hired a
professional makeup artist. It can be confusing and overwhelming! I'm
writing this as an insider in the industry, to help walk all of you
inquiring brides-to-be through the process and to make it as easy and
stress-free as possible.
"How do I find makeup artists in my area?"
The
first step is to find the artists who service your area and make a list
of ones you'd like to look into. Referrals from your venue, wedding
planner or photographer are worth their weight in GOLD. They do weddings
all the time, have worked with hundreds of other vendors, and know who
is good. Most venues and planners have a "Recommended Vendor List" that
they are happy to hand out to their booked brides. Photographers are
always happy to make recommendations for reputable, talented makeup
artists because the great ones make their jobs easier! (Less Photoshop
and time spent editing? Oh yes!) Friends who have recently been married
can also be a good source of referrals. Ask them who they used and if
they'd use them again. And of course, the internet has made this a much
easier task than in years past, and a simple internet search of "makeup
artists in (insert town here)" should bring up a list of them. So now
you have some potential artists chosen...
"How do I choose the right makeup artist for me?"
There are 5 key things to look for when making this decision.
-
Their website and portfolio - Reputable bridal makeup artists
will have a professional-looking website that showcases images of their
work. Beware of websites that use stock images or overly edited photos.
Also, keep in mind that a tacky looking website is often a sign of tacky
taste - and most likely poor taste in makeup. Online portfolios should
show a range of different looks, from barely-there natural makeup, to
more dramatic evening looks. If only one makeup look is featured on
their website, chances are pretty good it's the only look they know how
to do, and it's the look you and everyone in your bridal party is going
to get.
-
Style - Does the makeup represented on the makeup artist's
website represent the style of makeup you are looking for? If you are
into romantic makeup looks paired with dewy skin, you'll want to stay
away from the artists who prefer the heavy contour, Instagram-type
looks. And vice versa - if you like the heavier Kim Kardashian makeup
look, then the artists who showcase more natural makeup looks aren't
going to be the right choice for you.
-
Reviews - There are so many places online for consumers to
leave and find reviews. Use them! For wedding vendors, sites like The
Knot, WeddingWire and Yelp are fantastic resources. Check out the
reviews for each makeup artist you are considering, but keep some things
in mind. First, it's become increasingly easier for businesses to set
up fake reviews for themselves. If you are scrolling through their
reviews and see dozens of 5-star ones all within a few days, that
business probably paid people to leave those reviews for them. This is
usually done to counteract previous negative reviews, as it boosts up
their overall rating. I recommend searching through a businesses reviews
by "lowest rating" whenever possible. Second, it's normal for a
business to have one or two less than 5-star reviews. Everybody is
different and people appreciate different things. 3-stars under value
could mean that client didn't value their amazing $100 makeup
application as much as they valued their $2000 pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.
Also sometimes bad reviews can be left in retaliation if a client was
unhappy about not getting their way about something. I wouldn't fret
about one or two less than perfect reviews, but if you see a significant
number of them, that should be cause for concern.
-
Personality and Connection - Something that a lot of people
don't put much weight on is the personality of a makeup artist and the
personal connection you have with them. Their makeup skills are amazing?
Fantastic! Their personality not so golden? It's more important than
you think. You'll be spending hours with this artist on one of the most
important days of your life. You should like them, and want to have them
around. Whether it be through email, over the phone, or in person, make
sure this makeup artist makes you feel good! Past reviews can be great
for this. Look for key phrases like "I felt like I've known her
forever!" or "she was so soothing and calming during such a stressful
time". Some people are just naturally "people" people. Those are the
ones you'll want to hire.
-
Price - Price is something I have to mention, because it can be
such an important deciding factor for so many brides. You'll need to
choose a makeup artist who fits into your wedding budget, but keep in
mind that in this aspect, you truly do get what you pay for. Makeup
artists at the higher end of the price scale are there for a reason:
they use high-end quality products, they've paid for special training,
they practice proper sanitation (all those disposables and sanitizing
products can get expensive!), and they have skills and experience that
lesser priced artists usually can't match. For that perfect bridal look
you've envisioned, and flawless wedding photos to boot, choose an artist
at the top of your price range.
"I know who I want to book, now what?"
The
first step, if you haven't already done so, is to confirm availability
with the makeup artist of your choice. The best artists book up to a
year and a half in advance. That doesn't mean your top choice in artist
won't have your date available if it's closer than that, but it's best
to reach out as soon as possible. (Those wedding timelines that state to
book hair and makeup two months prior to your wedding? So wrong!)
Once
availability is confirmed, you'll need to determine if you want to book
your artist immediately to reserve your date with them, or schedule a
trial run prior to booking. Be aware that scheduling a trial run with
your artist prior to booking will not guarantee your date will still be
available. Most brides book their dates first and schedule a trial run
closer to their wedding - and the early bird gets the worm. Of course,
if any part of you is unsure about your decision to hire a particular
makeup artist, then a trial run prior to booking is advisable. In this
situation I recommend doing one as soon as possible to avoid the
possibility of your date being booked by another bride. For all others,
book that date!! If they've passed all 5 of the above qualifiers, that's
the magic combination.
Article written by Christy Lavallee, owner of Christy & Co., a makeup artistry company based out of Sturbridge, MA.
http://www.makeup-artistry.com
Comments
Post a Comment